Potential C-section

[flowerpot258]

I'll try keep it short.

Basically I had a heart operation when I was 3 years old. So when I got pregnant my midwife put me in touch with a consultant and I've had an echo scan and a fetal heart scan just to check everything is okay with me and baby and that my heart can cope with labour.

I am currently 34 weeks. Measuring quite big and above average. Had a growth scan at 30 weeks because at 28 weeks I was measuring 33cm. I then got a gestational diabetes test. The test came back as not having GD but I was only 1 point away from being diagnosed with it. So my midwife said she would send the info to my consultant as he might want to do another growth scan.

Got a letter today, which I was expecting to be a growth scan, but it's an appointment to see an anaesthetist at 36 weeks. Does the sound like they are arranging a C-section?

Yes it does. I'm sorry if it's come as a shock. I had a similar shock with the C section they tried to book me in for. I didn't have it in the end. Do you want a C-section? Do you need to talk to someone about your birth options, such as your midwife? Contact Birthrights if you need help/support with this they were incredible with my case and I got my natural birth but I really had to fight for it. I'll fight to the death for every woman to have the right to a C section if she wants one but I didn't want one and couldn't believe they just booked me in for one without my consent.

@PeekabooAtheZoo Thanks peek. I don't really know how I feel. I guess it would be nice to know either way! I have an appointment with my consultant next week on the 5th May so I'm assuming he'll discuss it with me then. Why did they book you in for a section? Was it health related?

Also, even though I was just borderline for gestational diabetes- is that it? Or is there a chance I might still develop it during this pregnancy? Asking because the past couple of days I've been really thirsty and extremely tired! Not sure if just normal pregnancy stuff or if it could be linked to GD or not

Anyone ?

What kind of heart operation? If something on the less severe side of the scale and no issues since childhood, then may not impact on anything at all.

Anaesthetic appointment doesn’t necessarily equal a section. Maybe to discuss an early epidural for example

Not necessarily for a C-section no. I think @FirstTimeMama848484 has it right. You'll have been identified as someone they consider to be higher risk to anaesthetise. People who've had prior spinal surgery or extremely high BMI, for example, would also have this appointment. They want to discuss with you options/alterations (if any are even needed) in the event you should need any intervention.

The anaesthetist appointment won't be anything to do with GD, but the consultant one might be. Thirst and tiredness could just be late pregnancy, but can never hurt to have it checked out by your midwife.

@Dyra has it right. Anaesthetists like to know about all women who've had heart problems or surgery in advance to a) plan what anaesthetic modality would be safest if you need a section/forceps/tear repair, etc and discuss the pros & cons with you beforehand rather than trying to work it all out in an emergency, b) discuss pain relief options for labour. HTH (doi: anaesthetist)

The boundary for diagnosing GD was moved upwards around 5/6 years ago. Shortly after that I was expecting DC2 and my consultant kept repeating the test because I fell into the old range. I assume it is possible to develop GD at any stage. Perhaps chat to your midwife about it?

I've got cardiac history and have an appointment to discuss with an anaesthetist because of potential epidural or a spinal if emergency c section is needed. This really doesn't necessarily mean they are putting your forward for a c section. My cardiac birth plan is that they don't want me to push for longer than an hour so will either want me to have assisted delivery or c section